I was going to take the leash thread I started on a tangent, but decided to start a new...... as of last week, we are CONSIDERING adopting a puppy!! I haven't had a puppy in about 18 years. I think I may have blocked out what raising a puppy is like. (I do recall losing a $200 pair of Bally patent/suede pumps to Meg's chewing. )

This puppy is a 2 - 3 month old Guide dog "career change" yellow lab I saw when going to pick up our current dog Russo from a medical appointment at GDB (Guide Dogs for the Blind - Russo is a stud for them) last week. He is so darling. The guy who is fostering him and the woman at GDB say he is the best puppy they have ever had.

I feel like we are leaving Em alone so much (Saturdays) for our team training rides, and this experience we had with dogs attacking Russo has convinced me she cannot walk Russo alone - it is just not safe for either of them. (Intact male dogs on a leash are a target for off leash dogs.) So I envision her taking this new puppy for walks, being the one taking him to obedience school, etc. She's 12, responsible, good, wants to be a vet, is beginning an internship at the SF Zoo. I think it would be a good experience. I also feel like the coming teen years are going to be so tough and having something that she is so responsible for would be good. Plus, Russo is 8 - god forbid anything happens to him, but I have to be realistic.

The realities I probably need to think more about: crates, housebreaking (they say he is perfectly crate trained already. I didn't use a crate with Meg. I don't even know what that means. ), chewing, waking us up at night, having to figure out how to deal with him on the days I am not working at home (possibly family can let him out of the crate, maybe I can bring him with me, maybe a dog walker can come). I know he's only got 4 - 5 months before he can be out in the yard and none of the logistical stuff will be as difficult. (I cannot put puppy out with Russo unsupervised til puppy is tutored - I mean neutered.)

Anyone want to talk me out of it? I talk to the woman at GDB tomorrow.